Part 7/11:
A recurring concern voiced by fans and industry observers is that the mainstream push for cultural neutrality could lead to bland, generic content that appeals to nobody and offend no one—essentially erasing the identity of Japanese game design. The question is whether this approach undermines the cultural richness that originally made Japanese RPGs and other genres compelling.
Hamaguchi suggests that studios need to maintain their creative identity, rather than tailoring products solely for Western tastes. Instead of shrinking back or over-correcting, companies should prioritize their roots and audiences who have historically embraced authentic Japanese content.